Sponsorship Licence Solicitors in Leicester

If you are looking for sponsorship licence solicitors in Leicester to assist with a sponsor licence application, you have come to the right place. Are you planning on hiring talent from overseas? You must apply for a sponsor licence before hiring anyone from abroad. 

A sponsor licence or a T2 sponsorship licence allows an employer to issue certificates of sponsorship to new employees from outside the UK. This certificate of sponsorship is a requirement for those employees to be able to work legally in the UK for that employer. 

A Tier 2 Sponsorship Licence is a requirement for any business or organisation looking to employ someone from outside the UK, including those based in the European Economic Area or Swiss citizens.

Any organisation or educational institution can apply for a Sponsorship Licence, provided they meet the relevant requirements. The organisation can be an independent business, franchise, or a newly acquired business.

However, each organisation will have a different set of requirements that must be met before a Sponsorship Licence can be gained.

We strongly recommend that any organisation seeks legal advice before making an application, as you will not be allowed to submit a new application for six months should it be refused.

What are Sponsorship licence requirements?

A Sponsorship Licence is a document that allows UK employers to hire non-EEA (European Economic Area) workers. To obtain a Sponsorship Licence, an employer must meet certain requirements set by the UK government. These requirements ensure that the employer is a legitimate and responsible entity capable of fulfilling their obligations as a sponsor. The key requirements for obtaining a Sponsorship Licence include the following:

1. Legitimate Business Entity: The employer must be a genuine, legal entity registered and operating in the UK.
2. Compliance with Immigration Laws: The employer must have a clean track record of compliance with immigration laws and no history of immigration violations.
3. Physical Premises: The employer must provide evidence of appropriate physical premises where the sponsored workers will work.
4. HR Systems: The employer must have proper Human Resources systems to manage sponsored workers, including record-keeping and reporting responsibilities.
5. Sponsorship Roles: Employers must nominate key personnel to fulfil specific sponsorship-related roles, such as a Sponsorship Licence Administrator and Key Contact.
6. Training: The designated personnel need to undergo relevant training to understand the responsibilities and obligations of being a sponsor.
7. Genuine Vacancies: Employers must demonstrate that the positions they intend to sponsor are genuine job vacancies that meet specific skill and salary requirements.
8. Advertisement: In some cases, employers may need to advertise the job vacancies to prove that no suitable settled worker is available to fill the position.
9. Salary and Benefits: Sponsored workers must get offered salaries and employment conditions that meet or exceed the minimum requirements set by the UK government.
10. Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT): Depending on the type of sponsorship, the employer might need to complete an RLMT, which involves advertising the job to settled workers before sponsoring a non-EEA worker.
11. Maintenance of Records: Employers must maintain accurate records of sponsored workers, including their contact details, immigration status, and compliance with employment terms.
12. Cooperation with Authorities: Employers must prepare to cooperate with Home Office requests for information and attend compliance visits.

Meeting these requirements demonstrates the employer’s commitment to responsibly sponsoring non-EEA workers and complying with the sponsorship process’s rules and regulations. These requirements might change over time, so it’s advisable to refer to the official UK government website or our sponsor licence solicitors in Leicester for the most up-to-date information.

What is the Sponsorship licence process?

The Sponsorship Licence process is the series of steps that UK employers need to follow to obtain permission to sponsor non-EEA workers under the Tier 2 and Tier 5 visa categories. This process involves several stages and requires careful adherence to the UK government’s guidelines. Here’s an overview of the Sponsorship Licence process:

1. Eligibility Check: Before applying for a Sponsorship Licence, the employer needs to ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria, which include having a legitimate business presence in the UK and being able to fulfil the responsibilities of a sponsor.
2. Online Application: The employer initiates the process by submitting an online application for a Sponsorship License through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal. This application requires detailed information about the company, its operations, and the intended use of the sponsorship.
3. Documentation: Along with the application, the employer must submit various supporting documents, such as business registration information, details about the job positions they intend to sponsor, and evidence of compliance with immigration laws.
4. Payment of Fees: There are fees associated with the Sponsorship Licence application. The employer needs to make the required payment during the application process.
5. Application Review: UK VI reviews the application to ensure that the employer meets the requirements once the application and documents are submitted.
6. Compliance Visit: In some cases, UK VI may conduct a compliance visit to the employer’s premises to verify the information provided in the application and assess the company’s readiness to fulfil sponsor obligations.
7. Decision: After reviewing the application and any additional information gathered during the compliance visit, UKVI decides whether to grant the Sponsorship Licence. If approved, the employer will receive a Sponsorship Licence Certificate.
8. Assigning Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS): With the Sponsorship Licence, the employer can start assigning Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) to individual workers they intend to sponsor. Each CoS represents a specific job position linked to the sponsored worker’s visa application.
9. Worker Application: The sponsored worker applies for their Tier 2 or Tier 5 visa using the CoS issued by the employer. They must meet the visa eligibility criteria, including skill and salary requirements.
10. Ongoing Compliance: Once the sponsorship relationship gets established, the employer must adhere to ongoing compliance obligations, including reporting changes in the sponsored worker’s circumstances, maintaining accurate records, and cooperating with Home Office requests.

Employers must follow each step of the Sponsorship Licence process accurately and adhere to the rules and regulations set by the UK government. Any deviations or non-compliance can result in the suspension or revocation of the Sponsorship Licence, affecting the ability to hire and retain non-EEA workers. It’s advisable to consult the official UK government resources or seek legal advice to ensure a smooth and successful sponsorship process.

Do I need a sponsorship licence solicitors in Leicester to apply for a sponsor licence?

While you can complete the application independently, it’s important to note that the application process can be complex and requires careful attention to detail.

Suppose you must familiarize yourself with the requirements, regulations, and documentation required for the application. In that case, it might be beneficial to seek legal advice from our sponsor licence solicitors in Leicester or one of our immigration advisors.

They can help ensure that your application gets correctly filled out and that you provide all the necessary supporting documents.

Having a sponsor licence solicitor’s assistance can increase your chances of a successful application and help you navigate any challenges that may arise during the process. However, it’s ultimately your decision whether to use a solicitor.

If you choose to proceed without one, thoroughly research the requirements and guidelines provided by the Home Office to ensure your application is accurate and complete.

What are the benefits a Tier 2 Sponsorship Licence?

The main benefit of the sponsorship licence is that it allows a UK company to source talent from abroad in situations where there is not enough local talent to fill staff vacancies. With a Tier 2 Sponsorship Licence, you will have the ability to recruit employees from across Europe and the rest of the world.

The licence helps keep businesses and organisations up to date with ongoing compliance obligations as the Home Office expert you to have robust systems in place to ensure that the migrant skilled workers you hire do not breach immigration laws.

If your company has a headquarters or branch which is based outside of the UK the licence allows non-UK national employes to transfer to a UK branch, as well as being able to bring an employee to the UK on a temporary basis.

What does your company need to do to be eligible?

In order to qualify for a Tier 2 Sponsorship Licence, your company must be able to demonstrate that:

• The company is genuine and operates lawfully
• There is a genuine vacancy for which the licence is required
• The company has key personnel in place to carry out its obligations as a sponsor
• The company has no adverse immigration compliance history

What is the process to obtain a Tier 2 Sponsorship Licence?

In order to apply for a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence, you need to:

• Provide a breakdown of your company structure
• Complete an online application form
• Submit your supporting evidence
• Be prepared for a compliance visit from the Home Office

How else can we help with your Sponsor Licence?

Should the Home Office grant your Application for a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence or if you already hold a Tier 2 Sponsor Licence? Our team of sponsorship licence solicitors in Leicester can provide the following services to you to help you comply with your duties as a Tier 2 Sponsorship Licence holder.

• Apply for Certificate of Sponsorships
• Visa Applications and Visa Extensions for your future and/or current staff members
• Support you with your ongoing duties as a Tier 2 Sponsorship Licence
• Support and advise you with the Sponsor Management System (SMS)
• Apply to increase the number of non-UK nationals you can employ
• Advise you with respect to other areas of UK Immigration law

Contact Us

It is vital that you seek expert advice before any applications are made, as you may be prevented from applying for six months should your application be rejected.

You can rely on Knightsbridge Solicitors in Leicester to support you with your immigration issues. Our experienced immigration team are ready to help you with your immigration issues..

Contact us today on 0116 216 5330 to arrange a free 30-minute consultation or get more information.